We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Vlad Cazacu a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Vlad, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?

Flowlie is on a mission to improve the way startups get funded. Flowlie envisions a future in which systems go to work for you, not the other way around. We’re replacing manual data entry with data-driven decision-making for founders and investors.

Flowlie believes the next generation of world-class companies will be built by diverse, underrepresented, digitally-native, data-driven founders, in and outside major tech hubs, with or without a pre-existing network. For them, fundraising will be an AI-assisted process allowing them to find the right capital faster than ever before.

We believe those entrepreneurs will be supported by community-driven, inclusive, diverse, unbiased, and collaborative investors, many of them writing their first angel check or raising their first fund. For them, using systems to analyze opportunities, cut through the noise, and collaborate on investments will be essential.

We’ve experienced the frustration of context-switching between high-impact activities and repetitive and time-consuming (but important) tasks on both sides of the table: as entrepreneurs fundraising and as VC investors deploying capital and supporting world-class founders. After testing nearly every platform on the market, in January 2021, we came together to revolutionize the fundraising process for founders and investors alike.

Vlad, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’m an Ex-VC investor and syndicator having led investments in 11 companies, a published author on VC, and a 40x angel investor.

My investing experience spans 4 firms, most recently as a Senior Investor with Fuel Venture Capital in Miami, FL investing in Seed to Series B technology companies focusing on enterprise software. Previously, I was a Principal at Assure Syndicates, a group of High Net Worth Individuals and Family Offices focusing on early-stage private equity deals from Pre-Seed to Series B. While at Assure, I sourced and led the investment in 11 companies as well as acted as an exclusive advisor to 5 private equity transactions using SPVs. At the time of departure, I co-managed an 8-figure AUM portfolio.

Before I was with VU Venture Partners and ff Venture Capital. I’m a second-time founder and a published author on the venture ecosystem with my book “When They Win, You Win: A More Human Approach to Supporting Entrepreneurship” being a best-seller at launch. I have a Master’s degree from the McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas at Austin and two Bachelor’s degrees from the University of Rochester.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

At the core of everything that I do lies a desire to empower and inspire entrepreneurs from around the world with the power of technology.

Over the last decade, we have observed a diffusion of talent across the globe that led many to start innovative companies to solve local problems encountered by them and their communities. This created more opportunities for entrepreneurship than ever before further fueling my mission and as a result, laying the foundation for what is now Flowlie Technologies.

Our work can find its roots in the personal narrative of my own life, a journey from the bustling streets of Bucharest, Romania, deep in Eastern Europe, to the innovative ecosystems of New York, Austin, and Miami. The seeds of Flowlie’s mission were planted in the fertile ground of my childhood in Bucharest. It was here, amidst a post-communist society striving to find its new identity, that I first became enamored with the concept of entrepreneurship. The resilience and ingenuity of those around me, striving to make a difference without the resources of the West, instilled in me a profound respect for the hustle—the relentless pursuit of opportunity and innovation. My early attempts at entrepreneurship, from managing a national arts festival to starting small businesses, were driven by a passion for creation and a curiosity about the future, fueled by my favorite magazine, Science & Technology.

However, it was my journey to the United States that truly shaped the ethos behind Flowlie’s mission. Arriving as an immigrant with a dream of education and a better future, I was thrust into a world of new challenges and opportunities. Adapting to a new culture, navigating a foreign language, and finding my footing in an unfamiliar land taught me the essence of perseverance and hard work. I started my first job the day I got approval to do so and held several part-time roles to pay my way through college. The cultural mosaic I encountered, especially during the night shifts at Starbucks, was a testament to the universal desire to succeed and overcome the class one was born into. These experiences reinforced my belief in the power of perseverance, hard work, and the importance of seizing every opportunity.

My professional path in venture capital took me from ff Venture Capital to VU Venture Partners, Assure Syndicates, and finally Fuel Venture Capital. Working with early-stage entrepreneurs, I was constantly inspired by their vision, determination, and the innovative solutions they brought to complex problems. This experience not only fueled my fire but also raised the standards I set for myself and those around me. My book, “When They Win, You Win: A More Human Approach to Supporting Entrepreneurship,” encapsulates this belief in the symbiotic relationship between success and support, emphasizing a work ethic grounded in empathy, integrity, and collective success

Deciding to leave a comfortable role in venture capital to start Flowlie Technologies was not only a leap of faith but a decision to chase a vision of creating a company that embodies the principles of innovation, inclusivity, and impact. This decision, though perplexing to some, was a natural progression of my journey, driven by the desire to not only succeed but to create a platform that empowers others to do the same.

At Flowlie, we are a team of innovators from all corners of the world, a mosaic not that different from my night shift team at Starbucks back in my college days. Our mission is to harness the power of technology to support and accelerate entrepreneurship, enabling more founders to bring their visions to life with the right financing strategy. As a result, we developed the first all-in-one Fundraising Hub for early-stage founders to plan their rounds, prepare their outreach, discover investors, and manage their fundraise.

In essence, the story behind my mission is a narrative of personal growth, professional evolution, and the enduring belief in the power of community. It’s a testament to the idea that from personal journeys of resilience and innovation can emerge a collective mission to inspire and empower a global community of thinkers, makers, and doers.

Any advice for managing a team?

My team management strategy is built on transparency, empowerment, and continuous learning. I believe in setting clear expectations and providing the resources and support needed for our teams to achieve them. This involves open communication channels for sharing feedback and ideas, a weekly all-hands meeting for everyone to group and refocus, and fostering a culture where taking calculated risks is encouraged, and failures are seen as learning opportunities.

Empowering team members by involving them in decision-making processes helps in building ownership and accountability. Additionally, I prioritize the personal and professional development of our team members, ensuring that their role aligns with their career aspirations so that they are enjoying their work.

Last but not least, empathetic leadership. Building a culture of trust, collaboration, and innovation starts with empathy. Understanding and addressing the challenges faced by our team has fostered a resilient and highly motivated workforce, driving our collective success.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.flowlie.com/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/flowlie/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/FlowlieHQ
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@flowlie
• Other: https://www.vladcazacu.com/